Lamar Cardinals Ocatavius Green, No. 24, left, drives the ball in during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14

Lamar Cardinals Ocatavius Green, No. 24, left, drives the ball in during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14

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Lamar Cardinals Donovan Ross, No. 21, drives the ball in during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14

Lamar Cardinals Donovan Ross, No. 21, drives the ball in during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14

Image 4 of 5

Lamar Cardinals Donovan Ross, No. 21, drives the ball in during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14

Lamar Cardinals Donovan Ross, No. 21, drives the ball in during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14

Image 5 of 5

Lamar Cardinals Amos Wilson, No. 34, shoots a two point shot during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. The final score was Lamar 59, McNeese 74. Michael Rivera/@michaelrivera88
Photo taken Saturday, 01/11/14 less

Lamar Cardinals Amos Wilson, No. 34, shoots a two point shot during Saturday's game against McNeese State Cowboys at the Montagne Center. The final score was Lamar 59, McNeese 74. Michael ... more

Knight after loss: If this isn't enough, fire me

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The worst-case scenario for the Lamar men's basketball team is taking shape.

It's starting to feel like last year.

Senior forward Amos Wilson had to endure that year; the worst season in Lamar history. And after a 74-59 loss against McNeese Saturday, he's going through the worst kind of déjà vu.

"All this losing messes with your confidence," Wilson said. "Especially the guys from last year."

The reason Lamar (1-15, 0-4) lost Saturday is because of an awful start offensively to the game. McNeese (5-11, 3-1) jumped out to a 7-0 lead.

Lamar finished the half shooting 6-of-25 from the field (24 percent) and could never recover.

"We just look like a bunch of whipped dogs out there," coach Pat Knight said.

That's the story of how Lamar lost its 12th-straight game.

This is the story of what happened after it.

The frustration boiled over into the postgame press conference where questions and answers went far beyond Saturday's game. It was time to talk about a program that has gone 4-42, 1-21 the past two seasons after making the NCAA Tournament the year prior. Time to talk about where expectations should be, where blame can be placed and what can be done.

"People out there should want a new coach and new team right now," Knight said. "I don't blame them. This is pathetic. We're 1-15."

Knight had deep bags under his eyes. Not only was his team defeated, he looked defeated, as well.

"If this isn't enough, fire me," Knight said. "Get another guy in here. I got no problem with that, I've been fired before. If fans don't think I'm doing a good job, that's part of coaching."

His words were a cocktail of frustration, anger and remorse, all spoken with an even tone in his voice. He was angry at himself and those from the outside.

Knight wanted more time, but at his core, didn't care if he got it.

"Every day I question myself, that comes with being a head coach," Knight said. "People can write what they want or say anything about me, but no one is sicker about this situation than I am. That's one thing that needs to be straight.

"I've already won a banner. There's a lot of coaches that haven't won a banner here if we're going to talk about that. If this was such a great job to begin with, why did it take 20 years to win 23 games? Why was there 12 years between going to the NCAA Tournament? It's not like I'm walking into a situation where we win 20 games all the time. We're building something and it takes time."

If it takes time, what should be realistic expectations, Knight was asked. He explained he had the players he needed, but a league of this caliber required players with experience in Division I basketball, something he is without with a couple exceptions.

"(You should expect) struggles (the first two seasons)," Knight said. "It's tough. Look at other people who have built programs. People, do your homework. What are (we) supposed to do? Win right off the bat? This isn't North Carolina or Duke where we have McDonald's All-Americans coming in. If that's not enough, fine. Fire me, get another coach and then fire him when you get upset with him after two or three years."

Lamar's game at New Orleans Thursday has become the team's Alamo. With each loss, the Cards regress more depending on the strength of their opponent.

The losses at home against Nicholls and McNeese could have been games Lamar won. Instead, the Cards are left with a short list of Southland opponents they might be better than.

With a loss against Incarnate Word Saturday, New Orleans (4-8, 1-3) might be one of the weakest Southland teams.

If Lamar can't win Thursday, well, it will keep feeling a lot like last year.